Aug. 31 The Deposition of the Venerable Sash of the Theotokos

The placing of the Venerable Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos in a church of Constantinople’s Chalcoprateia district took place during the reign of the emperor Theosodius the Younger. Before this the holy relic, entrusted to the Apostle Thomas by Mary herself, was kept by pious Christians at Jerusalem after her Dormition. During the reign of the Emperor Leo the Wise (886-911), his wife Zoe was afflicted with an unclean spirit, and he prayed that God would heal her. The empress had a vision that she would be healed of her infirmity if the Belt of the Theotokos was placed upon her. The emperor then asked the Patriarch to open the coffer. The Patriarch removed the seal and opened the coffer in which the relic was kept, and the Belt of the Mother of God appeared completely whole and undamaged by time. The Patriarch placed the Belt on the sick empress, and immediately she was freed from her infirmity. They sang hymns of thanksgiving to the Most Holy Theotokos, then they placed the venerable Belt back into the coffer and resealed it. In commemoration of the miraculous occurrence and the twofold placing of the venerable Belt, the Feast of the Placing of the Venerable Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos was established in 942. 

 

Troparion

Ever-Virgin Theotokos and protection of the human race, you gave the robe and cincture of your most pure body to your city as a powerful protection. These garments remained incorrupt because of your virginal childbirth. For in you, both time and nature have been renewed. Therefore, we pray that you grant peace to the universe and great mercy to our souls. 

 

Kontakion

As a mantle of immortality you have given to the faithful the garment that covered your most pure body, O Virgin whom God himself has blessed and divine protection of the human race. With love we celebrate the feast of the deposition of your mantle, and we sing with faith: Rejoice, O Virgin, for you are the pride of Christians. 

 

Readings for the Feast

Epistle

Hebrews 9: 1-7

Brothers and sisters: The first covenant had regulations and an earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was constructed, the outer one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the showbread; this was called the holy place. Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the holy of holies, in which were the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant entirely covered with gold. In the ark were the golden jars containing manna, the rod of Aaron which had blossomed, and the tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the place of expiation. We cannot speak now of each of these in detail. These were the arrangements for worship. In performing their service the priests used to go into the inner one, and that but once a year, with the blood which he offered for himself and for the sins of the people. 

 

Gospel

Luke 10: 38-42, 11: 27-28

At that time Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him to her home. She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and listened to his words. Martha, who was busy with all the details of hospitality, came to Jesus and said, “Lord, are you not concerned that my sister has left me to do the household tasks all alone? Tell her to help me.”

The Lord in reply said to her: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and upset about many things; one thing only is required. Mary has chosen the better portion and she shall not be deprived of it.”

While he was saying this a woman from the crowd called out, “Blest is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” Jesus replied, “Rather, blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it.”

 

Readings for the day

Epistle

Galatians 1: 1-10, 20-21; 2: 1-5

Paul, an apostle sent not by men or by any man, but by Jesus Christ and God his Father who raised him from the dead. I and my brothers who are with me send greetings to the churches in Galatia. We wish you the favor and peace of God our Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, to rescue us from the present evil age, as our God and Father willed – to him be glory for endless ages. Amen.

I am amazed that you are so soon deserting him who called you in accord with his gracious design in Christ, and are going over to another gospel. But there is no other. Some who wish to alter the gospel of Christ must have confused you. For even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel not in accord with the one we delivered to you, let a curse be upon him! I repeat what I have just said: if anyone preaches a gospel to you other than the one you received, let a curse be upon him!

Whom would you say I am trying to please at this point – men or God? Is this how I seek to ingratiate myself with men? If i were trying to win man’s approval, I would surely not be serving Christ!

I declare before God that what I have just written is true. Thereafter I entered the regions of Syria and Cilicia. The communities of Christ in Judea had no idea what I looked like; they had only heard that “he who was formerly persecuting us is now preaching the faith he tried to destroy,” and they gave glory to God on my account.

Then, after fourteen years, I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, this time taking Titus with me. I went prompted by a revelation, and I laid out for their scrutiny the gospel as I present it to the Gentiles – all this in private conference with the leaders, to make sure the course I was pursuing, or had pursued, was not useless. Not even Titus, who was with me, was order to undergo circumcision, despite his being a Greek. Certain false claimants to the title of brother were smuggled in; they wormed their way into the group to spy on the freedom we enjoy in Christ Jesus and thereby to make slaves of us, but we did not submit to them for a moment. We resisted so that the truth of the gospel might survive intact for your benefit. 

 

Gospel

Mark 5: 1-20

At that time Jesus and his disciples came to Gerasene territory on the other side of the lake. As Jesus got out of the boat, he was immediately met by a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit. The man had taken refuge among the tombs; he could no longer be restrained even with a chain. In fact, he has frequently been secured with handcuffs and chains, but had pulled the chains apart and smashed the fetters. No one had proved strong enough to tame him. Uninterruptedly night and day, amid the tombs and on the hillsides, he screamed and gashed himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus at a distance, he ran up and did him homage, shrieking in a loud voice, “Why meddle with me, Jesus, Son of God Most High? I implore you in God’s name, do not torture me!” (Jesus had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) “What is your name?” Jesus asked him. “Legion is my name,” he answered. “There are hundreds of us.” He pleaded hard with Jesus not to drive them away from that neighborhood. 

It happened that a large herd of swine was feeding there on the slope of the mountain. “Send us into the swine,” they begged Jesus. “Let us enter them.” Jesus gave the word, and with it the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand went rushing down the bluff into the lake, where they began to drown. The swineherds ran off and brought the news to field and village, and the people came to see what had happened. As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion sitting fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were seized with fear. The spectators explained what had happened to the possessed man, and told them about the swine. Before long they were begging Jesus to go away from their district. 

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed was pressing to accompany him. Jesus did not grant his request, but told him instead: “Go home to your family and make it clear to them how much the Lord in his mercy has done for you.” At that the man went off and began to proclaim throughout the Ten Cities what Jesus had done for him. They were all amazed at what they heard. 

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

 

Aug. 30 Our Holy Fathers Alexander, John, and Paul the Younger, Patriarchs of Constantinople

Our holy fathers Alexander, John, and Paul the Younger, patriarchs of Constantinople: Alexander took part in the First Ecumenical Council. John the Faster governed the Church in the days of the wicked emperor Anastasius. Paul IV governed the Church for five years and then took the Great Schema to repent for his early support of the Iconoclasts. 

 

Troparion

God of our fathers, You always deal with us in Your kindness. Take not Your mercy away from us; but through your prayers guide our life in peace. 

 

Kontakion

These glorious saints were inflamed with love for Christ and shouldered His cross with zeal and fervor. They imitated His life and entered His glory. Standing before His throne, O Alexander, John, and Paul, pray for the salvation of our souls. 

 

Epistle 

2 Corinthians 13: 3-13

Brothers and sisters: You are, after all, looking for a proof of the Christ who speaks in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful in you. It is true he was crucified out of weakness, but he lives by the power of God. We too are weak in him, but we live with him by God’s power in us. Test yourselves to see whether you are living in faith; examine yourselves. Perhaps you yourselves do not realize the Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you have failed the challenge. I hope you will understand that we have not failed. We pray to God that you may do no evil — not in order that we may appear approved but simply that you may do what is good, even though we may seem to have failed. We cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth. We even rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. Our prayer is that you may be built up to completion. 

I am writing in this way while away from you, so that when I am with you I may not have to exercise with severity the authority the Lord has given me — authority to build up rather than to destroy. And now, brethren, I must say goodbye. Mend your ways. Encourage one another. Live in harmony and peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the holy ones send greetings to you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all!

 

Gospel

Mark 4: 35-41

The Lord said to his disciples: “Let us cross over to the farther shore.” Leaving the crowd, they took him away in the boat in which he was sitting, while the other boats accompanied him. It happened that a bad squall blew up. The waves were breaking over the boat and it began to ship water badly. Jesus was in the stern through it all, sound asleep on a cushion. They finally woke him and said to him, “Teacher, does it not matter to you that we are going to drown?” He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea: “Quiet! Be still!” The wind fell off and everything grew calm. Then he said to them, “Why are you so terrified? Why are you lacking in faith?” A great awe overcame them at this. They kept saying to one another, “Who can this be that the wind and sea obey him?”

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

 

Aug. 29 Beheading of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John

Beheading of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John: Because John had denounced Herod Antipas for putting away his own wife and marrying the wife of his brother Philip, Herod imprisoned John. At a feast held in honor of Herod’s birthday, his stepdaughter Salome danced for him. Herod promised her anything; her mother Herodias told her to ask for the head of John on a platter. This martyrdom is commemorated on this day because a church, built over the Forerunner’s tomb, was dedicated on this day to his beheading by the Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena. 

 

Troparion

The memory of the righteous is celebrated with praise, but for you, O Forerunner, the Lord’s testimony is enough. You were shown to be more honorable than the prophets since you were deemed worthy to baptize in the waters the Lord you had proclaimed. Therefore, you fought for the truth, and with joy proclaimed the good news to those in Hades, that God has appeared in the flesh to take away the sins of the world and to grant us great mercy.

 

Kontakion

The glorious beheading of the Forerunner was part of God’s saving plan that the coming of the Savior might be announced even to those in Hades. Let Herodias mourn for she sought a lawless murder because she loved neither the Law of God nor eternal life, but only this false and fleeting life. 

 

Readings for the Feast

Epistle

Acts 13: 25-33

In those days Paul spoke to the Israelites saying: “As John’s career was coming to an end, he would say, ‘What you suppose me to be, I am not. Rather, look for the one who comes after me. I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals on his feet.’ My brethren, children of the family of Abraham and you others who reverence our God, it was to us that this message of salvation was sent forth. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their rulers failed to recognize [Jesus], and in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets which we read sabbath after sabbath. Even though they found no charge against him which deserved death, they begged Pilate to have him executed. Once they had thus brought about all that had been written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. Yet God raised him from the dead, and for many days thereafter Jesus appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are his witnesses now before the people.

“We ourselves announce to you the good news that what God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children in raising up Jesus, according to what is written in the second psalm, ‘You are my son; this day I have begotten you.’”

 

Gospel

Mark 6: 14-29

At that time King Herod came to hear of Jesus, for his reputation had become widespread and people were saying, “John the Baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why such miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet equal to any of the prophets.” On hearing of Jesus, Herod exclaimed, “John, whose head I had cut off, has been raised up!” Herod was the one who had ordered John arrested, chained, and imprisoned on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, who he had married. That was because John had told Herod, “It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against John for this and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be an upright and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard John speak he was very much disturbed; yet he felt the attraction of his words. Herodias had her chance one day when Herod held a birthday dinner for his court circle, military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias’ own daughter came in at one point and performed a dance which delighted Herod and his guests. The king told the girl, “Ask for anything you want and I will give it to you.” He went so far as to swear to her: “I will grant you whatever you ask, even half my kingdom!” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” The mother answered, “The head of John the Baptizer.” At that the girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request: “I want you to give me, at once, the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.” The king bitterly regretted the request; yet because of his oath and the presence of the guests, he did not want to refuse her. He promptly dispatched an executioner, ordering him to bring back the Baptizer’s head. The man went and beheaded John in prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. Later, when his disciples heard about this, they came and carried his body away and placed it in a tomb. 

 

Readings for the day

Epistle

2 Corinthians 12:20 – 13:2

Brothers and sisters: I fear that when I come I may not find you to my liking, not may you find me to yours. I fear I may find discord, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, slander and gossip, self-importance, disorder. I fear that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may have to mourn over the many who sinned earlier and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and sensuality they practiced. 

This is the third time I shall be coming to you. [Scripture says,] “A judicial fact shall be established only on the testimony of two or three witnesses.” I said before when I was there the second time – and I repeat it now in my absence – to those who sinned before and to all the rest, that if I come again I shall not spare you. 

 

Gospel

Mark 4: 24-34

The Lord said to his disciples: “Listen carefully to what you hear. In the measure you give you shall receive, and more besides. To those who have more, more will be given; from those who have not, what little they have will be taken away.”

He also said: “This is how it is with the reign of God. A man scatters seed on the ground.He goes to bed and gets up day after day. Through it all the seed sprouts and grows without his knowing how it happened. The soil produces of itself first the blade, then the ear, finally the ripe wheat in the ear. When the crop is ready he ‘wields the sickle, for the time is ripe for harvest.’”

Jesus went on to say: “What comparison shall we use for the reign of God? What image will help to present it? It is like mustard seed which, when planted in the soil, is the smallest of all the earth’s seeds, yet once it is sown, springs up to become the largest of shrubs, with branches big enough for the birds of the sky to build nests in its shade.” By means of many such parables he taught them the message in a way they could understand. To them he spoke only by way of parables, while he kept explaining things privately to his disciples. 

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

 

Aug. 28 Our Venerable Father Moses the Ethiopian; Our Holy Father Augustine, Bishop of Hippo

Our venerable father Moses the Ethiopian was at first the leader of a band of robbers, but he repented and became a great ascetic. He gave himself up utterly to work, prayer, vigils, and fasting. He was ordained a priest in his old age, and then founded a monastery of his own. He was martyred by looting barbarians in the year 405. 

Our holy father Augustine, bishop of Hippo was born in Hippo in Africa. He was turned from paganism to Christianity by the prayers and tears of his mother, St. Monica. He was baptized by St. Ambrose of Milan, and returned to North Africa. There he was chosen as bishop of Hippo, and he spent the rest of his life in prolific teaching and writing. He served and glorified the Lord for thirty-five years as bishop of Hippo; he fell asleep in the Lord in the year 430. 

 

Troparion – Moses

You made the wilderness your dwelling, O father Moses, the bearer of God. You became an angel in the flesh and a wonder-worker. Through fasts, vigils and prayers, you obtained from God special graces to heal the sick and to sanctify the souls of those who come to you in trust. Glory to the One who gave you strength! Glory to the One who crowned you! Glory to the One who through your intercession grants healing to all!

 

Troparion – Augustine

Guide to Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and holiness, luminary for the world, inspired adornment of bishops, O wise Augustine, harp of the Spirit, you enlightened all by your teachings; intercede with Christ our God to save our souls.

 

Kontakion – Moses

You upbraided your people and spat on the devil and brought them light brighter than the sun. You guide our souls by the light of your life and thought.

 

Kontakion – Augustine

We praise you with resounding voices, O heavenly trumpet of wisdom. You are the harmonious organ of theology, O most blessed father Augustine. You have given us rich knowledge of Christ’s faith, and you have increased the flock in the Church. You now take your rest with the angels and still pray unceasingly for us. 

 

Epistle

2 Corinthians 12: 10-19

Brothers and sisters: I am content with weakness, with mistreatment, with distress, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ; for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong.

What a fool I have become! You have driven me to it. You are the ones who should have been commending me. Even though I am nothing, I am in no way inferior to the “super-apostles.” Indeed, I have performed among you with great patience the signs that show the apostle, signs and wonders and deeds of power. In what way are you inferior to the other churches except in this, that I was no burden to you? Forgive me this injustice! This is the third time that I am about to visit you, and I am not going to burden you; for I do not want what you have, I only want you. Children should not save up for their parents, but parents for children. I will gladly spend myself and be spent for your sakes. If I love you too much, will I be loved the less for that? Granted that I did not burden you – but being crafty, you say, I caught you by guile. Did I ever take advantage of you through any of the men I sent to you? I urged Titus to go to you, and I sent the other brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you in any way? Did we not act in the one spirit, walk in the same footsteps? Do you think throughout this recital that I am defending myself to you? Before God I tell you, in Christ, I have done everything to build you up, my dear ones. 

 

Gospel

Mark 4: 10-23

At that time when Jesus was away from the crowd, those present with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. He told them: “To you the mystery of the reign of God has been confided. To the others outside it is all presented in parables, so that they will look intently and not see, listen carefully and not understand, lest perhaps they repent and be forgiven.”

He said to them: “You do not understand this parable? How than are you going to understand other figures like it? What the sower is sowing is the word. Those on the path are the ones to whom, as soon as they hear the word, Satan comes to carry off what was sown in them. Similarly, those sown on rocky ground are people who on listening to the word accept it joyfully at the outset. Being rootless, they last only a while. When some pressure or persecution overtakes them because of the word, they falter. Those sown among thorns are another class. They have listened to the word, but anxieties over life’s demands, and the desire for wealth, and craving of other sorts come to choke it off; it bears no yield. But when those sown on good soil are the ones who listen to the word, take it to heart, and yield at thirty – and sixty – and a hundredfold.”

He said to them: “Is a lamp acquired to be put under a bushel basket or hidden under a bed? Is it not meant to be put on a stand? Things are hidden only to be revealed at a later time; they are covered so as to be brought out into the open. Let him who has ears to hear me, hear!”

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

 

Aug. 27 Our Venerable Father Pimen

Our venerable father Pimen the Great was born about the year 340 in Egypt. He went to one of the Egyptian monasteries with his two brothers, Anoub and Paisius, and all three received monastic tonsures. The brothers were such strict ascetics that when their mother came to the monastery to see her children, they did not come out to her from their cells. For many monks, St. Pimen was a spiritual guide and instructor. They wrote down his answers to ser for the edification of others besides themselves. St. Pimen was strict in his fasting and sometimes would not partake of food for a week or more. He advised others to eat every day but to do so without eating their fill. Abba Pimen heard of a certain monk who went for a week without eating, but had lost his temper. The saint lamented that the monk was able to fast for an entire week, but was unable to abstain from anger for even a single day. St. Pimen died at the age of 110. Soon after his death, he was acknowledged as a saint pleasing to God. He was called “the Great” as a sign of his great humility, uprightness, ascetic struggles, and self-denying service to God. 

 

Troparion

Your abundant tears made the wilderness sprout and bloom, and your deep sighing made your labor fruitful a hundredfold. You became a star shining over the world with miracles, holy father Pimen. Pray to Christ God that He may save our souls.

 

Kontakion

Today the holy memory of your splendid struggles has dawned, gladdening the souls of the pious, O divinely wise Pimen, our venerable father. 

 

Epistle

1 Corinthians 16: 13-24

Brethren: Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, and act like men. In a word, be strong. Do everything with love. You know that the household of Stephanus is the first fruits of Achaia and is devoted to the service of the saints. I urge you to serve under such men and under everyone who cooperates and toils with them. I was very happy at the arrival of Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, because they made up for your absence. They have refreshed my spirit as they did yours. You should recognize the worth of such men.

The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the assembly that meets in their house, send you cordial greetings in the Lord. All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 

It is I, Paul, who send you this greeting in my own hand. If anyone does not love the Lord, let a curse be upon him. O Lord, come! The favor of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. 

 

Gospel

Matthew 21: 33-42

The Lord said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, “Listen to another parable. There was a property owner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a vat, and erected a tower. Then he leased it out to tenant farmers and went on a journey. When vintage time arrived he dispatched slaves to the tenants to obtain his share of the grapes. The tenants responded by seizing the slaves. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. A second time he dispatched even more slaves than before, but they treated them the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ When they saw the son, the tenants said to one another, ‘Here is the one who will inherit everything. Let us kill him and then we shall have his inheritance!’ With that they seized him, dragged him outside the vineyard, and killed him. What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to those tenants when he comes?”

They replied, “He will bring that wicked crowd to a bad end and lease his vineyard out to others who will see to it that he has grapes at vintage time.” Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the keystone of the structure. It was the Lord who did this and we find it marvelous to behold’?”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

 

Sunday Bulletin 8/27/23

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Saturday, Aug 26  –  Adrian and Natalie, Martyrs   

5:00 PM          Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy

Sunday, Aug 27  –  13th Sunday after Pentecost

8:30 AM        Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Monday, Aug 28  –  Moses the Ethiopian, Venerable       

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

4:00 PM          Evening Prayer

5:30 PM          Akathist* for those suffering Addictions & Mental Illness

Wednesday, Aug 30  –  Alexander, John & Paul; Patriarchs  

8:30 AM          Morning Prayer

6:30 PM          Divine Liturgy

7:30 PM          Firepit Social

Saturday, Sept 2  –  Mammas, Martyr        

5:00 PM          Santa Paula Outreach Divine Liturgy

6:30 PM          Reader Vespers

Sunday, Sept 3  –  14th Sunday after Pentecost

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

*Add first names to this prayer service by emailing niemirick@gmail.com

MYSTERY OF REPENTANCE (Confession)

St. Mary’s: Sundays 8:45 AM or by appointment

Santa Paula: Saturdays 4:15 PM or by appointment

PRAYER REQUESTS

(Please resubmit or submit names to admin@ByzantineLA.com)

The Carlin Family, Michael Hefferon, Shirley Kunze, Michael Mina, Peter Mina, Fr. John Mina, Mila Mina, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, Shannon O’Neill, Fern Bonowicz, All the sick and suffering of St. Mary’s

WEEKLY DEPOSIT:

Collection: $1,129.00; Santa Paula: $780.00; Candles: $36.43; Holydays: $200.00

Total: $2,145.43 / Attendance – PSM: 45  

Eparchial Appeal 2023 – Ends Aug. 31

This is the last week of the Appeal. We only need $4,300.53 to reach our goal!  Donations can be made directly to the Eparchy by mail or on their website: https://www.ephx.org/eparchial-appeal and then clicking on our church. Payments can also be made directly to St. Mary’s by check. If you wish to donate online, please use the Eparchy’s website found above.

Thank you to everyone who has donated already!

Alig; Alviz; Bates; Blessum, S; Brady; Clemens; Cook; Fitzgerald; Golya; Hilz; Horey, F; Horey, M; Jimenez; Jordan; Kieselhorst; Koman-Keough; Marschner-Coyne; Matthews; Michnya; Mina; Niemi; O’Neill; Onufrak; Parrot; Petach; Reichert; Seabright; Somits; Sumandra, M.; Sumandra, N&S; Summe; Wiltz; Zimmerman, P; Zimmerman, W

Prayer

Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven.”
— St. Ephrem the Syrian

Historic Gathering of the Byzantine Catholic Church in America

You are invited to Participate!
Metropolitan Archbishop William, Bishop Kurt, and the Council of Hierarchs of the Byzantine Catholic Church invite YOU to attend the “Metropolitan Assembly” at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Hillsborough, New Jersey, on Friday, November 3 through Sunday, November 5, 2023! The theme of the Assembly is to “learn about our past and to prepare for our future!” Guest speakers include Dr. Paul Magosci, noted Author and Historian; Bishop Nil Lushchak of the Eparchy of Mukachevo; Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York; as well as other clergy and lay leaders. The Assembly includes lectures, discussions, fellowship, and a gala dinner with folk music and dancing. The fee includes meals, breaks, presentations, materials, and the gala on Saturday evening. The Assembly cost is $250 for individuals and $400 for couples. The Maria Theresa Foundation will underwrite the registration fees of individuals and couples between 18 and 35. For more information, contact the Assembly coordinators, Fr. Ed Cimbala, at 212-677-0516 or Fr. Yuriy Oros at 609-394-5004. The assembly website is https://www.byzantineassembly2023.org/and the email is byzantineassembly2023@gmail.com. Hope to see YOU there!

 

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the work of the Lord, and a marvel in our eyes.” The unfaithful servants had the kingdom of God taken from them. Today, our Church needs faithful servants who would answer his calling to marriage, holy orders and the monastic life to bring the kingdom of God to all. Are you being called to discern a religious vocation as a faithful servant? If so, contact the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org

Aug. 26 The Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalie

The martyrs Adrian and Natalie were married in their youth for one year prior to their martyrdom. They lived in Nicomedia during the time of  the emperor Maximian (305-311). The emperor promised a reward to anyone who would inform on Christians to bring them to trial. Then the denunciations began, and 23 Christians were captured in a cave near Nicomedia. They were tortured, urged to worship idols, and then brought before the Praetor, in order to record their names and responses. Adrian, the head of the praetorium, watched as these people suffered with such courage for their faith. Seeing how firmly and fearlessly they confessed Christ, he asked: “What rewards do you expect from your God for your suffering?” The martyrs replied: “Such rewards as we are not able to describe, nor can your mind comprehend.” St. Adrian told the scribes, “Write my name down also, for I am a Christian and I die gladly for Christ God.”

 

Troparion

You saved a treasure of great wealth, the divine and true faith. Turning away from the foolish actions of your ancestors, you followed in the steps of the Master. You were enriched with the divine gifts, O glorious Adrian, and now we seek you to be generous to us.

 

Kontakion

O Adrian, martyr of Christ, you preserved in your heart the exhortations of your pious and devoted wife. Together with her, you accepted every kind of suffering and obtained the crown of victory. 

 

Epistle

1 Corinthians 2: 6-9

Brothers and sisters: There is, to be sure, a certain wisdom which we express among the spiritually mature. It is not a wisdom of this age, however, nor of the rulers of this age, who are men headed for destruction. No, what we utter is God’s wisdom: a mysterious, a hidden wisdom. God planned it before all ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age knew the mystery; if they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory. Of this wisdom it is written: “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love him.”

 

Gospel

Matthew 22: 15-22

At that time the Pharisees went off and began to plot how they might trap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, accompanied by Herodian sympathizers, who said: “Teacher, we know you are a truthful man and teach God’s way sincerely. You court no one’s favor and so not act out of human respect. Give us your opinion, then, in this case. Is it lawful to pay tax to the emperor or not?” Jesus recognized their bad faith and said to them, “Why are you trying to trip me up, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a small Roman coin he asked them, “Whose head is this, and whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. At that he said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, but give to God what is God’s.” Taken aback by this reply, they went off and left him. 

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

 

Aug. 25 The Return of the Relics of the Holy Apostle Bartholomew; The Holy Apostle Titus

The relics of the holy apostle Bartholomew were stolen by the Armenians, and then taken to the town of Alipay’s. At the time of Theophilus the Iconoclast, they were translated again, this time to the town of Benevento. From there they were taken to Rome. 

The holy apostle Titus is counted as one of the 70 Apostles. Born in Crete, he was baptized by the Apostle Paul. He served Paul in such sincerity of the heart that Paul called him his son (Titus 1:4) as well as his brother (2 Cor. 12:18). He was made the first bishop of Crete, where he widely governed the Church to great old age. He died at the age of ninety-four. 

 

Troparion

O holy apostles, intercede with the merciful God that he may grant our souls forgiveness of sins. 

 

Kontakion – Bartholomew 

You appeared to the Church as a brilliant star, O Bartholomew, apostle of the Lord, illuminating those who honor you with the radiance of doctrine and awesome wonders. 

 

Kontakion – Titus

As a companion of Paul, you declared the word of divine grace to us. Ever-memorable and truly great Titus, we tender a song of honor to you. Now pray unceasingly for all of us. 

 

Epistle

2 Corinthians 11: 5-21a

Brethren: I consider myself inferior to the “super-apostles” in nothing. I may be unskilled in speech but I know that I am not lacking in knowledge. We have made this evident to you in every conceivable way.

Could I have done wrong when I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge, humbling myself with a view to exalting you? I robbed other churches, I accepted support from them in order to minister to you. When I was with you and in want I was a burden to none of you, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. In every way possible I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I shall continue to do so. I swear by the Christ who is in me that this boast of mine will not cease in the regions of Achaia! Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do. What I am doing shall continue to do, depriving at every turn those who look for a chance to say that in their much-vaunted ministry they work on the same terms as we do. Such men are false apostles. They practice deceit in their disguise as apostles of Christ. And little wonder! For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. It comes as no surprise that his ministers disguise themselves as ministers of the justice of God. But their end will correspond to their deeds.

I repeat: let no one think me foolish. But if you do, then accept me as a fool all the way and let me do a little boasting. What I am about to say in this self-assured boasting, I speak not as the Lord desires but after the manner of a fool. Since many are bragging about their human distinctions, I too will boast. Being wise yourselves, you gladly put up with fools. You even put up with those who exploit you, who impose upon you and put on airs, with those who slap your face. To my shame I must confess that we have been too weak to do such things. 

 

Gospel

Mark 4: 1-9

At that time Jesus began to teach beside the lake. Such a huge crowd gathered around him that he went and sat in a boat on the water, while the crowd remained on the shore nearby. He began to instruct them at great length by the use of parables, and in the course of his teaching said: “Listen carefully to this. A farmer went out sowing. Some of what he sowed landed on the footpath, where the birds came along and ate it. Some of the seed landed on rocky ground where it had little soil; it sprouted immediately because the soil had no depth. Then , when the sun rose and scorched it, it began to wither for lack of roots. Again, some landed among thorns, which grew up and choked it off, and there was no yield of grain. Some seed, finally, landed on good soil and yielded grain that sprang up to produce at a rate of thirty – and sixty – and a hundredfold.” Having spoken this parable, he added: “Let him who has ears to hear me, hear!”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

 

Aug. 24 The Holy Martyr Eutyches

The hieromartyr Eutyches, a disciple of the holy Apostles John the Theologian and Paul, was from the Palestinian city of Sebastea. Although St. Eutyches is not one of the 70 Apostles, he is called an Apostle because of his labors with the older Apostles, by whom he was made bishop. After hearing about Christ the Savior, St. Eutyches first became a disciple of the Apostle John the Theologian. Later, he met the Apostle Paul, and preached together with him on the early journeys. St. Eutyches underwent many sufferings: they starved him with hunger, beat him with iron rods, they threw him into the fire, and then sent him to be devoured by wild beasts. Once, a lion was let loose upon the saint, but it astonished everyone when the animal started to praise the Creator with a human voice. The hieromartyr Eutyches completed his labors in his native city, where he was beheaded with a sword at the beginning of the second century. 

 

Troparion

You shared in the apostles’ way of life and succeeded to their throne, divinely inspired bishop. You found access to contemplation in the active life. Therefore, you rightly taught the word of truth and struggled for the faith to the shedding of your blood. O Priest Martyr Eutyches, pray to Christ our God to save our souls. 

 

Kontakion

You sat on the chair of the apostles, and you were the honor of pastors. You decorated all your labors with martyr’s blood, and you shine with the brilliance of the sun. You disperse the night of godlessness and enlighten all people. Therefore, we honor you as a true priest.

 

Epistle

2 Corinthians 10: 7-18

Brothers and sisters: You view things superficially. If anyone is convinced that he belongs to Christ, let him reflect on this: he may belong to Christ but just as much do we. If I find I must make a few further claims about the power the Lord has given us for your upbuilding and not for your destruction, this will not embarrass me in the least. At the same time, I do not wish to intimidate you with my letters. His letters, they say, are severe and forceful, but when he is here in person he is unimpressive and his word makes no great impact. Well, let such people give this some thought, that what we are by word, in the letters during our absence, that we mean to be in action when we are present.

We are not so bold, of course, as to classify or compare ourselves with certain people who recommend themselves. Since people like that are their own appraisers, comparing themselves with one another, they only demonstrate their ignorance. When we make claims we will not go over the mark but will stay within the bounds the God of moderation has set for us – leading us to you. We are not overreaching ourselves, as we should be doing if we had not bothered to come to you. But indeed we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. We do not boast immoderately of the work of others; we hope that as your faith grows our influence may also grow among you and overflow. Following the rule laid down for us, we hope to preach the gospel even beyond your borders without having to boast of work already done by another in his allotted territory. [As I said to you previously], “Let him who would boast, boast in the Lord.” It is not the man who recommends himself who is approved but the man whom the Lord recommends.

 

Gospel

Mark 3: 28-35

The Lord said to his disciples: “I give you my word, every sin will be forgiven mankind and all the blasphemies men utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. He carries the guilt of his sin without end.” He spoke thus because they had said, “He is possessed by an unclean spirit.”

His mother and his brothers arrived, and as they stood outside they sent word to him to come out. The crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.” He said in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And gazing around him at those seated in the circle he continued, “These are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does the will of God is brother and sister and mother to me.”

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

 

Aug. 23 The Holy Martyr Lupus; The Holy Martyr Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons

The martyr Lupus was a servant of St. Demetrius of Salonica. When his master was beheaded by the emperor Maximian, Lupus dipped the hem of his garment and his ring into his master’s blood. Through these relics he worked many miracles, even though he was not yet baptized. Having miraculously received the Holy Mysteries, he was beheaded in the year 306. 

The holy martyr Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons, was sent by St. Polycarp from Asia Minor to preach in Gaul. He became the first bishop of Lyons and brought many pagans to the faith. In his numerous writings, Irenaeus both expounded the othrodox faith and defended it against heretics. He suffered for Christ in the year 202 during the reign of the emperor Severus. 

 

Troparion

Your martyr Lupus, O Lord our God, in his struggle received an incorruptible crown from You. With Your strength, he brought down the tyrants and broke the cowardly valor of demons. Through his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls. 

 

Kontakion

You have become a brilliant star to guide the earth, heralding the dawn of Christ. You have wiped out guile and you give us light, O long-suffering Lupus. Pray unceasingly for all of us.

 

Epistle

2 Corinthians 9:12 – 10:7

Brothers and sisters: the administering of this [charity collection] not only supplies the needs of the members of the church but also overflows in much gratitude to God. Because of your praiseworthy service they are glorifying God for your obedient faith in the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with all. They pray for you longingly because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

I, Paul, exhort you be the meekness and kindness of Christ, I who (you say) when present in your midst am lowly, but when absent am bold toward you. I beg you that when I am there, I may not have to act boldly, with that assurance I might dare to use courageously against certain ones who accuse us of weak human behavior. We do indeed live in the body but we do not wage war with human resources. The weapons of our warfare are not merely human. They possess God’s power for the destruction of the strongholds. We demolish sophistries and every proud pretension that raises itself against the knowledge of God; we likewise bring every thought into captivity to make it obedient to Christ. We are ready to punish disobedience in anyone else once your own disobedience is perfect. You view things superficially. If anyone is convinced that he belongs to Christ, let him reflect on this: he may belong to Christ but just as much as we do.  

 

Gospel

Mark 3: 20-27

At that time Jesus returned to the house with the Twelve and again the crowd assembled making it impossible for them to get any food whatever. When his family heard of this they came to take charge of him, saying, “He is out of his mind”; while the scribes who arrived from Jerusalem asserted, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,: and “He expels demons with the help of the prince of demons.” Summoning the scribes, Jesus then began to speak to them by the way of examples: “How can Satan expel Satan? If a kingdom is torn by civil strife, that kingdom cannot last. If a household is divided according to loyalties, that household will not survive. Similarly, if Satan has suffered mutiny in his ranks and is torn by dissension, he cannot endure; he is finished. No one can enter a strong man’s house and despoil his property unless he has first put him under restraint. Only then can he plunder the house.”

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com